Dozens of children who were split from their families during the first Trump administration have been re‑separated, despite a federal judge’s order to reunite them, according to an Associated Press investigation. At the same time, a separate AP probe shows that boarding schools once marketed to “rebellious” teenagers are now enrolling a growing share of adopted youth, estimated at 25‑40% of residents.

Dozens of Trump‑Era Separated Children Re‑Separated

The AP team, including journalists Moises Castillo, Rebecca Blackwell, Cody Jackson and Manuel Valdes, documented multiple instances where children previously reunited with parents were taken apart again.. Video evidence captured by the reporters shows law‑enforcement officials separating families in detention facilities, directly contravening a court order that mandated reunification. According to the investigation, the re‑separations occurred across at least three different states.

Legal experts cited in the report warn that the pattern reflects a lack of oversight within immigration enforcement agencies. “The repeated violations suggest systemic gaps rather than isolated incidents,” one attorney told the AP. The investigation has prompted calls for a federal review of compliance mechanisms, but officials have not yet responded.

Adopted Youth Now 25‑40% of Tough‑Love Boarding School Residents

A second AP inquiry, featuring video work by Mary Conlon, Serginho Roosblad, Austin Johnson and Sally Ho, reveals that a business known for “tough‑love” boarding schools is increasingly marketing its programs to adopted children. The report estimates that adopted youth now comprise between a quarter and two‑fifths of the student body in these facilities.

Animations by Marshall Ritzel illustrate how the schools’ recruitment tactics have shifted from targeting “rebellious” teens to emphasizing “behavioral correction” for adopted families facing challenges. Critics argue that this pivot exploits vulnerable families seeking stability for their children . According to the AP, no regulatory body has yet issued formal guidance on the practice.

West Virginia Electricity Bills Outpace Rents Amid Coal Reliance

In a separate economic story, residents of West Virginia are confronting electricity bills that now exceed typical rent or mortgage payments, despite former President Trump’s pledge to lower energy costs. Video journalists Jessie Wardarski and Carolyn Kaster report that the state’s continued dependence on coal‑fired power plants is a key driver of the price surge .

The AP notes that utility companies have cited rising wholesale energy prices and aging infrastructure as reasons for the hikes. “Households are forced to choose between heating and other essentials,” a local consumer advocate said, highlighting the broader affordability crisis.

Who Is Overseeing Compliance With the Reunification Order?

The investigations leave several critical questions unanswered. First, the specific agency tasked with enforcing the judge’s reunification order remains unclear, as does the chain of command for officials who carried out the recent re‑separations . Second, the AP did not obtain comment from the boarding school operators about their new focus on adopted children, leaving their internal policies opaque.. Finally,it is unknown whether West Virginia’s utility regulators will intervene to curb the soaring electricity costs.

These gaps underscore the need for transparent accountability mechanisms across immigration, child‑care, and energy sectors.